Tag: Divergent

March 22: Top Ten Books I Really Love But Feel Like I Haven’t Talked About EnoughThe books I’ve chosen to talk about in this particular list I read in 2013/14, before I started reviewing on my blog. They are generally four star reads (with one exception) that I rarely discuss, but really enjoyed reading and have stuck with me for a couple of years.

1. Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
This novel is thrilling, gorey and a follows a fantastically well-developed plot across continents (8/10)

2. Killing Floor by Lee Child
Not for the faint-hearted, the first installment in the Jack Reacher series is outstanding, both in terms of plot and characterisation (8/10)

3. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
You think you know the direction this novel is taking, but you’re wrong! (7/10)

4. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
The brilliant rags-to-riches story of a young boy who discovers an elusive golden ticket, allowing him a tour of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory (7/10)

5. Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
Demi-gods embark on a dangerous mission to rescue a satyr and obtain the Golden Fleece (7/10)

6. Divergent by Veronica Roth
A divided society littered with outcasts leads to revolution and war (7/10)

7. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Teenage boy wakes up in a box with no clue as to who or where he is, then proceeds to fight his way out of an (as yet) unsolved maze (8/10)

8. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
One of my favourite Potter novels, the third installment sees notorious mass-murderer Sirius Black break out of the heavily guarded wizard prison, headed straight for Harry (9/10)

9. Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
The first installment featuring 15-year old spy Alex Rider follows him in Cornwall uncovering the mystery surrounding a new computer system (7/10)

10. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Told from numerous perspectives this epic tale is largely political, but is filled with drama, mystery and fantasy adventure (8/10)

March 8: Top Ten Characters Everyone Loves But I Just Don’t GetWe did a very similar topic to this in September, so I’ve purposefully chosen ten different characters that I just didn’t click with. Some of these will cause a debate: let it commence.

2. Linh Cinder (Cinder by Marissa Meyer)
I really wanted to like this book, but the fact the protagonist was boring and one dimensional was not good.

3. Annabeth Chase (Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan)
I’ve read the first three Percy Jackson novels, but I don’t understand why everyone seems to love Annabeth – she doesn’t seem to have done much.

4. Tamlin (A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas)
I get it, he’s hot, but is that all there is to him? He didn’t seem a character with much substance – hopefully I’ll change my mind when the second book is released in May.

5. Jon Snow (A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin)
Seriously, what’s all the fuss about? I may only have read the first two books but he’s boring!

6. Augustus Waters (The Fault In Our Stars by John Green)
I just don’t like his metaphoric manner and the fact that he talks in riddles.

7. Levi (Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell)
In some ways I liked Levi, but in other ways he was a bit of a douchebag.

8. Charlie Scorsoni (The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky)
Whilst he’s sweet and innocent, I don’t love him as most people seem to.

September 8: Top Ten Finished Series I Have Yet To FinishEveryone that truly knows me knows how bad I am at finishing series – in fact, I can only think of two completed series that I have read in entirety: ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘The Hunger Games’. Something’s gotta give.

1. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Read: 2/3
Whilst it took me a while to get used to the language and tone of the series, I really enjoyed these action packed, quick reads. I’m at a loss as to why I’ve yet to pick up the final installment.

2. Divergent by Veronica Roth
Read: 2/3
I absolutely loved ‘Divergent’, but I thoroughly loathed ‘Insurgent’, as I felt the plot was weak and unbelieveable. As a result I’m uncertain when and whether I’m going to pick up the conclusion of this series.

3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Read: 2/5
I really enjoyed the first two books in this series, but despite them being middle grade novels, I find myself unable to marathon them. I’m fully intending on continuing with this series, and then progressing onto Rick’s other books.

4. Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
Read: 3/4
I’ve read the original trilogy multiple times, but when the fourth volume was released I found myself unable to read it. I’m slowly working my way through the series once more, so this time I vow to read the conclusion.

5. Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz
Read: 6/10
I adored the Alex Rider series when I was younger, and I am currently in the process of re-reading the entire series, so that I can relive the memories of the first six books, and discover Alex’s new adventures from the final four.

6. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
Read: 1/6
I read ‘City of Bones’ earlier this year and wasn’t blown away – it was just ok. I felt that there were too many characters, but that it was very action packed, so I’m going to attempt at least one more book in this series before I make my mind up.

7. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Read: 2/3
‘Anna’ was a really cute, quick read, but I really disliked ‘Lola’. I’m definitely going to complete the series though (with ‘Isla’) because I’m holding out hope that it’ll be another cute contemporary.

8. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Read: 1/7
Like most people, I’ve only read ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’, which by my understanding isn’t even the first book in this series. I may one day – probably if/when I have children – read all the books in order.

9. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
Read: 2/13
A thirteen book series is definitely intimidating, and I didn’t love either of the first two books. I’m going to read number three (probably this year) and then decide where my feelings lie with regards to these novels.

10. Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
Read: 1/4
Simply put, I thought ‘Eragon’ was boring, and I’m almost certain I’m not going to continue on with the series. I usually like to give series a second chance, but these books are too long to waste away my life on.

Following my success of devouring “This Book is Gay” yesterday, I was feeling motivated to try to finish a number of novels I’ve been flitting between. Today, that meant finishing #11 A book with a one-word title, “Insurgent” by Veronica Roth (my 15th read in my 2015 Reading Challenge).

As always, I needed to read the book before watching the movie adaption (which is out later this month), and having enjoyed “Divergent”, I figured I would fly through the second book. Unfortunately, “Insurgent” suffered from what I dub (and many others apparently, following a Google search) Second Book Syndrome…

My Goodreads Review“Talk about stark contrast. ‘Divergent’ was fast-paced, but easy to follow. ‘Insurgent’ on the other hand was jumpy and disjointed. New characters were seemingly continuously being introduced, only for them to disappear soon after. Tris and Four were racing from A to B to C to B to A to D. It was incredibly difficult to keep up with where they were, what they were doing, and who they were with, as well as the all important ‘why’ they were doing what they were doing. Even upon finishing this book, I still am not entirely sure what events occurred.
There seemed to be a great deal of backstabbing, changing allegiances (probably a sign of what is to come) and “war crimes” committed, so much so that I am not fully content with who are the good guys, and who are the bad guys. I’m not sure I particularly ‘like’ any of the characters. I admire a number of them, but they then tend to go and do something profoundly stupid, leaving me rolling my eyes.
Part of the problem I believe I had with this book was that I couldn’t settle into a reading pattern: I jumped between Kindle, paperback and audiobook, which led to my reading experience being slightly disjointed. I have to praise the audiobook though, which in itself was thoroughly enjoyable!
The final 50 pages reprieved this 500+ page book somewhat. The action was more understandable, and the simulation aspect became clearer, and the book itself concluded in a cliffhanger – always good before the final book in a series.”

Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed the book in parts. No one could deny that it is action packed, but there is little character development, and the whole world felt incomplete. I have no doubt that I’ll read “Allegiant” in the near future to conclude this trilogy, but I can’t help but feel disappointed with this book – that will not hamper my willingness to see the movie though (I’m hoping that it will clarify some of the disjointedness when I see it visually).

#11 A book with a one-word title – Insurgent by Veronica Roth (5/10)

Fourteen down, thirty-six to go. (Fifteen read)

My journey will also be instagrammed frequently on @charlottebibliophile